YP Daily Roundup 3/20/18

WTVA – REPORT: BRYANT DOWN TO TWO CHOICES TO REPLACE COCHRAN IN U.S. SENATE

It appears Governor Phil Bryant is down to two choices to serve in the U.S. Senate after Senator Thad Cochran retires next month.

The Clarion Ledger quotes numerous sources saying those two choices are Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.

As Gov. Bryant signs new abortion law, Lt. Gov. Reeves says, “It’s a great day in Mississippi…”

It’s a great day in Mississippi as we move to make our state the safest place in the nation for an unborn child. I was proud to stand with members of the pro-life community as Gov. @PhilBryantMS signed the ban on abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. pic.twitter.com/xWQNgjyTUn

— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 19, 2018

WLBT – Mississippi’s only abortion clinic sues state after governor signs nation’s most restrictive abortion law

Mississippi’s previous 20-week abortion ban has never been challenged because the state’s only abortion clinic, the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, doesn’t perform abortions after 18-weeks. Diane Derzis, the owner of the clinic says, has pledged to sue now that the bill has been signed into law.

“It’s an unconstitutional bill, it will not hold up in court, it will be challenged almost immediately and it’s is going to cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.”

WJTV – Andy Taggart says he’ll consider run for US Senate to keep Chris McDaniel out

McDaniel: “We are raising an army” – Campaign Announces 82 County Chairs and Over 1,000 New Volunteers

https://www.facebook.com/senatormcdaniel/posts/1778774992186381

WLOX – First Lady Deborah Bryant visits Moss Point schools

All it took was cracking open a book and singing a little jingle to capture the attention of Pre-K students at Kreole Primary. The school was one of the stops on Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant’s “Read Across Mississippi” tour.

Each visit was only about 30 minutes, but Bryant said she believes it will have a lasting impact. She started the campaign with the goal of reading at a school in every county of the state to spark students’ interest in reading.

“Back when Phil first became governor, and we realized what a problem we have with literacy in the state, with children not being able to read at a third grade level by the time they got to the third grade, it just broke my heart,” she said.

DAILY JOURNAL – Key decisions to be made this week before legislators finalize budget

How much money the Legislature will have to fund education, health care, law enforcement and other vital services for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1, will be dependent on some key actions during the coming week…

…Saturday night is the deadline for legislative leaders to reach a deal on the budget. They face a Monday night deadline to pass those budget agreements.

To further complicate matters, proposals are alive to transfer funds that normally would be appropriated for general fund agencies – such as education, health care and law enforcement – to transportation to deal with bridge and road woes – on both the state and federal level.

CLARION LEDGER – Jimmy Gates: Alyce Clarke: The grande dame of the Mississippi Legislature

She is currently the longest-serving woman in the Mississippi Legislature.

Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, was elected in 1984 and began serving in 1985, becoming the first African-American woman in the Legislature in modern time…

…”It doesn’t matter whether you are Democrat or Republican, you respect Alyce,” Chism said. “She is someone who makes your life brighter just to be around and that is saying something in today’s time.”

Clarke has never shied away from issues whether human rights, gay rights or equal pay for women.

Sen. Wicker introduces bill to boost P3s in North Mississippi

Today, I introduced legislation to expand economic opportunity and boost public-private partnerships in the Appalachian region, including North MS, w/ @MarkWarner, @SenCapito, & @Sen_JoeManchin. https://t.co/IHlbfHpAWM

— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) March 19, 2018